Ngayong hapon, Hunyo 2, 2025, opisyal na iprinoklama ng Provincial Board of Canvassers ng Comelec-Benhuet si Congressman Eric Go Yap bilang duly elected Member ng House of Representatives para sa Lone District ng Benguet para sa terminong 2025–2028. 📸 Comelec Benguet  

  The Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region, led by Director Jovita A. Ganongan, proudly participated in the kick-off ceremony of the 38th Cordillera Month celebration, held to mark the beginning of a month-long tribute to the rich culture, resilience, and unity of the Cordilleran people. This year’s theme, “𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂,” highlights the collective commitment of the region to work together toward a more inclusive, empowered, and sustainable future. The kick-off ceremony, on July 1 in Baguio City, gathered various regional line agencies, local government units, indigenous peoples’ groups, and civil society organizations, all united in honoring the enduring spirit and shared aspirations of the Cordilleras. DOT-CAR joins the celebration in recognition of the vital role tourism plays in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening regional identity, and fostering economic development. As the celebration unfolds, DOT-CAR remains committed to promoting the Cordilleras as a model of cultural pride and sustainable tourism, while supporting efforts that protect the region’s heritage and empower its communities.      

By Pigeon Lobien and Primo Agatep   The Commission on Elections Second Division last June 21 lifted the suspension of proclamation of Rep. Eric Yap and ordered the provincial board of canvassers to proclaim him as winner of the May 12 elections. Yap had been the subject of cases filed before the Comelec barring him from being proclaimed even after he won the election by more than 85,000 votes. The three page decision signed by Commissioner Rey Dulay noted that Yap’s position as Representative has been given due course and as a result ” the suspension of the proclamation of respondent Eric G. Yap is here by lifted. The Provincial Board of Benguet is here by directed to reconvene and proclaim respondent Eric G. Yap as the duly elected Member of the House of Representatives for the Lone District of Benguet.” The decision signed also by Commissioners Nelson Celis and Noli Puno noted that petitioner Franklin Tino wanted Yap’s certificate of candidacy (COC) be cancelled due to the congressman’s citizenship. Tino alleged that Yap is not a natural born Filipino adding that Yap should not be qualified to seek said office. The commissioners said that the “petitioner has utterly failed to discharge this burden.” They wrote “Not a single of documentary, testimonial or circumstantial evidence has been adduced to support his claims against the respondent.” They added in the case docketed as SPA No. 24-206 (DC) that “petitioner failed to prove that respondent deliberately committed material misrepresentation as to his qualification when he indicated in his COC that he was a natural born Filipino citizen.” Gov. Melchor Diclas, vice gov. Mary Rose Fongwan – Kepes and the new provincial board will be inducted on Monday at the Capitol where Yap is expected to attend. Last June 6, a manifesto signed by some 36,000 Benguet residents was filed by a group led by Gary Abela with the Comelec asking that Yap be proclaimed.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Municipality of Bakun has emerged as the top winner in the 2025 Benguet Roadside Beautification Program during the awarding ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol in La Trinidad, Benguet on June 25, 2025. Newly-elected Vice Governor Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, as representative of Gov. Melchor Diclas, congratulated the winners during the awarding ceremony. In her message, she requested that this program be continued and the beauty of the road environments in the province be maintained, so that it becomes a beautiful sight for traveling motorists. Bakun’s winning entry featured a beautifully maintained stretch along the Governor Bado Dangwa National Road from Sinipsip to Liwang Section of Barangay Gambang, and from Malikliko to Giswak Section of Barangay Ampusongan. Bakun received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of ₱100,000.00. The second place was awarded to the Municipality of Buguias for their roadside beautification along Halsema Highway in Barangay Bangao. Barangay Bangao accepted a plaque and ₱90,000.00 in prize money. Mankayan secured third place with a plaque and ₱80,000.00. Barangays Abiang and Cuba represented their municipalities, Atok and Kapangan, respectively, earning fourth and fifth places with cash prizes of ₱80,000.00 and ₱70,000.00. Other municipalities also received cash prizes and certificates of recognition for their efforts in enhancing the roadside landscapes. Special awards, each worth ₱5,000 and a plaque, were presented to the following municipalities: Sablan for Most Sustained Roadside Landscape Kabayan for Best in Social Media Kibungan for Best in Partnership & Networking Atok for Best in Focal Area and Landscape Kapangan for Best in Mural All 13 municipalities participated in this year’s Benguet Roadside Beautification Program, showcasing their commitment to environmental stewardship and community pride.    

To safeguard its cultural heritage, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Mountain Province passed Provincial Ordinance No. 573, which prohibits all souvenir shops, garment stores, and online sellers in the province from manufacturing, distributing, or selling machine-made replicas of Cordillera indigenous woven materials and apparel in Mountain Province. The ordinance emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional handwoven textiles—an integral part of Cordillera identity and livelihood. Violators will face escalating penalties, a reprimand for the first offense, confiscation of items on the second, and confiscation plus permit cancellation for subsequent violations. Approved on June 2, 2025, the ordinance affirms the province’s commitment to protecting the authenticity and integrity of indigenous weaving. (PIA Mountain Province)

Local Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in the municipalities of Sablan and Tuba, Benguet are scaling up organic farming and enhancing irrigation with the help of royalty shares from Hedcor’s run-of-river hydropower operations. Royalty shares are fair compensation given to IPs for the use of their ancestral land and resources. Hedcor is the run-of-river hydropower arm of Aboitiz Renewables Inc. that operates 22 run-of-river hydropower facilities; nine of which are located in Benguet. The Company adheres to free, prior and informed consent in providing the royalty shares, ensuring direct and tailor-fitted benefits. In Sablan, the Pahnga ni Sabdang Indigenous Peoples Organization (PASIPO) received ₱2.2 million in royalty shares to support agricultural and livelihood development across eight barangays. “The initiative will focus on the propagation of fruit-bearing trees, upgrading traditional tapuey (rice wine) brewing and broom-making enterprises, and establishing a composting facility to advance organic farming methods,” said PASIPO President Lilian Balangue, noting how these would help boost crop production and generate sustainable income. Meanwhile, in Tuba, the Tagadi-Aguyao Indigenous Peoples Organization (TAIPO) received over ₱250,000 in royalty shares to help address water supply challenges and reduced crop yields through investments in irrigation, free-range poultry, and materials such as greenhouse plastic sheets and anthurium nets. “These upgrades will help improve productivity and provide a more stable supply of food within the community,” explained TAIPO President Anita Madarang. “Hedcor’s partnership with the indigenous communities in Benguet — the ‘Salad Bowl of the Philippines’ — continues to focus on sustainable farming, food production, and responsible use of natural resources,” added Aboitiz Renewables First Vice President and General Manager for Hydro Business Unit Noreen Vicencio. “We recognize the value of supporting long-term projects that reflect community priorities and help improve quality of life.” Companies within the Hedcor Group are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Aboitiz Power Corporation through Aboitiz Renewables. Through the royalty shares generated from its facilities, Hedcor supports corporate social responsibility programs that promote inclusive development within its host communities, connecting clean power generation with practical, locally-led initiatives.            

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – Two hundred police trainees successfully graduated from the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course (PSBRC), marking another milestone in their journey towards becoming full members of the Philippine National Police (PNP). The police trainees under the MASALIBTAK Class 2024-01 were awarded their certificates, which was held at Camp Bado Dangwa, attended by high-ranking officials led by Regional Dirctor Brig.Gen. David Peredo, Jr., on June 14. As a highlight of the ceremony, three police trainees received Certificates of Merit for their exemplary performance in the course, namely Pat Rhodwil Cabbigat – 91.82%; Pat Ge-ann Palangyo* – 91.73% and Pat Diego Culhi* – 90.55%. The NPTI Director Leadership Awards were also presented to Pat Zielya Yagonda Dinamling, as Class President, and Pat Warren Ballestra, as Battalion Commander. Peredo commended the graduates for their hard work, discipline, and perseverance and encouraged them to carry the lessons of leadership and public service as they move on to the next phase of their training. Following their completion of the PSBRC, the graduates will now undergo a six-month Field Training Program (FTP), a practical, on-the-job training phase where they will apply their classroom learning to real-life law enforcement situations. Successful completion of the FTP will qualify them for permanent appointments as members of the PNP. The new batch of recruits represents not only additional strength for the police force, but also a renewed commitment to public safety, discipline, and community-oriented policing throughout the Cordillera region.

Rachel Angela Valencia Baday was crowned Ms. Tabuk City 2025 in the province of Kalinga, Cordillera Administrative Region, during the grand coronation night held tonight at the Tabuk City Gymnasium. Rounding up the top 5 of the pageant are: Ms. Tabuk Tourism Sheena Vail Gonayaon Lingbawan Ms. Tabuk Agriculture Kimberly Jireh Lemi Pigao 1st Runner-up Arriane Cagaid Lammao 2nd Runner-up Rio Beth Agabas Alcanzarine 📸Fuji Sakai